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Leapingbadger - Kamino Dreamin - Tumblr Blog
Crossposted from BlueSky!
Hmmm working on a thing and decided to lean into the 'Hunter's tattoos go all the way down' thing in reverse order:-
Free of Kaminoan oversight, Hunter immediately began modifying his appearance, a process which Crosshair watched with interest. His hair was quick to grow out, once it wasn’t regularly being shorn, and he began inking the skin of his left hand to mirror the bones beneath. It wasn’t long before the design spread up his forearm to his elbow, and then he was forced to enlist his brothers’ help to continue the skeletal theme to his upper arm. When he suggested inking his face, Crosshair had studied him for a long, silent moment, enhanced eyesight drinking in every aspect of Hunter’s appearance. Then he simply shrugged and said, “Sure, why not.”
Edit: finished this, posted it Here
Gah! I love this series so much!
And now to the real deal.
Unlike Atlantis, Hemlock has everyone here as prisoners, Tech is the last one to be fished out of the lake. Also Crosshair's already in the “post-Tantiss” phase. And that was the most difficult piece so far. Sucked me dry. But that doesn't mean I'm tired.
@techwrecker @lonewolflupe @ithillia @profettshonalfettfettishist
Love this!!
Happy Halloween, here's my favorite spoopy time movie
🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
what genre would their album be tho? This pic, among with some other stuff is up on my Patreon in high res if you're interested ✨
A Dance Through Time
This took me about two months to finish and it's the biggest piece I've ever done. Inspiration came while I was listening to Fast Car by Tracy Chapman one day, and the vision of Hunter and Omega swaying to the rhythm together came to life before my eyes. Listening to it more brought a realization that some parts of the song fit the story of these two almost perfectly, taking them on a journey from the very first episode of the show to the day peace is restored in the galaxy - like the first verse talking about their beginnings and the second one describing the struggles of living from job to job that we see in season 2. But the core of the story - of the show, of this duo, and of these characters separately - can be brought down to these four lines:
You got a fast car
Is it fast enough so we can fly away?
We gotta make a decision
Leave tonight or live and die this way
In case Tumblr messes with the quality, you can find the separate pieces, in order, under the cut.
Tested
Summary: Hunter and Rex go on a mission for intel and come across some unlikely acquaintances.
Word Count: 4349
“Are you sure you’re doing that right?” Rex asked,
“You know this is kind of my thing, right?” Hunter said exasperatedly. He was crouched, close to the ground, rolling dirt over his fingers. His helmet, or the replacement helmet he had been given by Echo, sat next to him on the ground. An unfamiliar face staring up at him.
Hunter understood where Rex was coming from. They had been at this for more rotations than he could count. He couldn’t even remember the name of the small, jungle like moon they found themselves on, but they seemed to be going in circles, and it wasn’t because of Hunter’s tracking skills. The muscles in his calves were screaming. Sweat dripped down his back and bandana was soaked through.
“Did you ever think that maybe this Jedi doesn’t want to be found and that’s why we’re having such a hard time.”
“I did.” He said smugly, clapping Hunter on the shoulder, “that’s why I brought the best,”
Hunter signed and got closer to the ground. They were close, he could sense it.
Suddenly he stood up, “Rex, move!” he shouted, shoving the captain out of the way just as the glowing blade of an emerald lightsaber fell to the ground where he had been moments before.
Hunter fell back onto the attack stance, blaster pulled and aiming in front of him. The stranger wore a black cloak, only his chin visible underneath.
“Well, well, well,” he said in a relaxed kind of way, “Captain Rex. I heard you were dead”
“Likewise, Master Vos,” Rex said cooly.
Both men relaxed their stance. Quinlan Vos lowered his hood, a cocky smile on his lips. His black hair hung past his shoulders, the yellow markings on his face seemed to glow in the green light of the lightsaber.
The hum on Vos’ laser sword still hung in the air. Hunter hadn’t lowered his weapon but had loosened his grip. He knew of Vos by reputation. But these were difficult times and given his last experience with a force user, he had no intention of letting his guard down.
“And who’s this?” Vos nodded at Hunter, “your tracker, I’m assuming?”
“That’s right, this is Hunter,”
Vos shut off his lightsaber with a snap hiss and stepped forward. He reached his hand out to shake Hunter’s, “not many people can track me. I’m impressed.” Hunter nodded but didn’t respond to the outstretched hand. He still wasn’t sure if they were safe yet or not.
“I don’t need to worry about you both trying to blast me, do I?” Vos asked with an amused expression, as if he’d like to see them try.
“We’re not working for the Empire.” Rex said simply, and that seemed to assuage any fears in Vos.
“So, what can I do for you, Captain” he asked, hooking his lightsaber to his belt and turning his back on them, walking through the thicket of trees, bushes and twigs crunching with every step.
Rex looked at Hunter, shrugged and followed.
“We rescued a number of force sensitive children from the Empire. Are working to find their families, have found some but we think they’re being watched. We can’t return the kids to have them taken again. A friend suggested we try and find you. That you had a network that might be able to help.”
“A friend?” Vos asked, eyebrow raised.
“Fulcrum,” Rex responded quietly.
Hunter was only half listening to the conversation. There was something lingering at the edge of his senses that he couldn’t place. He could hear something in the tops of the trees. It was moving methodically, not like an animal. His eyes searched the dense canopy. The rustling was following them.
“We’ve got company” Hunter said quietly.
“Don’t worry about it,” Vos said with a shrug.
Hunter looked at Rex who just nodded and continued to follow the Jedi deeper into the forest. Hunter rested his hand on his blaster, held his virboknife and continued to trek.
It was some time before they reached a small cave like structure in a small clearing. A circular opening looked like it had been cut directly into the rock, Hunter assumed with the lightsaber hanging from Vos’ waist. He hated to think how long that had taken.
Rex settled on a large tree stump that lay horizontally on the ground. He sighed as he took off his helmet, wiping the sweat from his face. Hunter wasn’t ready to sit. He was still unsettled. Whatever was following them was still lingering at the edge of his senses. It was oddly familiar.
Vos disappeared into the cave and came back without his cape and carrying a tray with a grey liquid in a bottle. “Figured we could all use a drink” he said.
There were four cups. Hunter raised his eyebrow at Rex. He had taken the cup he was handed but Hunter noticed he hadn’t taken a sip yet. The captain knew something was off too.
Hunter slowly turned around on the spot, looking out into the deep forest, through the trees. A gentle scent wafted over the clearing, flowers, ash and…death?
Hunter spun around; blaster raised to the tree line. He knew that scent.
“Have you come for round two?” a tall and slim figure emerged, the grey markings tracing down the side of her mouth, giving her a permanent scowl. He hair was longer now, chin length and cut in a slant as sharp as the side of a blade.
“Ventress?” Rex said, blaster up, eyes darting from Hunter and Vos.
“How’s Omega?,” Ventress asked, casually walking through the clearing and taking the seat next to Vos. Any closer and she would have been sitting on his lap.
Hunter didn’t answer, lower his weapon, or blink. He had turned on his heel to follow her as she walked.
“Another one of your acquaintances, my dear?” Vos asked her sweetly, pouring her a cup of the cloudy liquid. “Is there anyone you don’t know?”
“What can I say, I get around,” she replied with a smirk. She crossed her left leg over her right and knocked back the drink in one go.
Hunter was still scowling and wondering what Rex had gotten him into. He didn’t know Rex’s contact and who had put him on the path to Vos and Ventress, but he couldn’t help but wish he were back on Pabu with his squad. He, Crosshair, and Wrecker had been no match for Ventress the last time. He and Rex wouldn’t stand a chance against both her and Vos.
“Easy fellas,” Vos said, standing with his hands up as though approaching a wild animal. “She is no longer a Sith.”
“Something I believe I shared with you on your island,” Ventress added to Hunter.
“We didn’t get a great impression of which side you were on,”
“You’re still beathing, aren’t you?” Ventress replied, tucking her silver hair behind her ear.
Hunter hesitated but lowered his blaster. He watched out of the corner of his eye and Rex followed suit. They weren’t going to get anywhere with open hostility. The sooner they got this over with, the sooner the kids could get back to their families, and the sooner he could get back to his.
Rex cleared his throat, seemingly trying to get things back on track. “We’re looking for help relocating…”
“Force sensitive children. Yes, I heard” Ventress said. She looked at Hunter with a smile on her lips, “are you collecting them?”
Hunter scowled but didn’t respond. She was trying to get under his skin. It was working.
“Have the children been tested? Have their abilities been confirmed?”
“They were being kept at a secret facility run by an Imperial scientist working directly for the emperor. They wouldn’t have kept them if they weren’t” Hunter replied, bristling a little. He didn’t want the kids to have to go through anything else, especially Ventress’ ‘tests’.
“A secret facility?” Ventress looked at Vos who simply nodded. He seemed more than happy for her to take the lead. “And how did you hear about it?”
Hunter didn’t respond, crossing his arms over his chest.
“Ah… Omega. She was taken I’m assuming?”
Hunter felt a tightness in his check and a catch in his throat but kept his face blank. He didn’t want to think about the time she was taken from him. The many times she was taken. He fought the immediate need to check in with his squad on Pabu, making sure she was still there.
She was safe, she was fine. He repeated it again and again in his head until it took hold.
“So, what happened to the facility” Vos interjected
Hunter shrugged, “partially destroyed,”
“And the scientist?” Ventress asked.
A cloud fell over Hunter’s eyes. “He died.” He said calmly.
***
Hunter sat by the fire. Watching the embers spark and float into the deep forest night. He and Rex hadn’t had time to return to their base before nightfall. The woods weren’t safe to navigate in the dark, although Hunter had been prepared to take the risk.
Vos and Ventress did plan to help them. Rex’s contact had been right about that. Their small network was growing exponentially but it would still take time to locate a safe space for Jax and Sammi. The kids had been in contact with their families, something Hunter was pleased about, but it hadn’t been safe enough to reunite them yet. He knew how painful that must be for their parents. They were willing to help Rex and Echo locate the families of Eva and Behrn, if possible.
Hunter heard the crack of a tree branch behind him, but didn’t stir. Rex sat down on the log opposite him and smiled.
“Need an extra set of eyes out here?” he asked
“Hm, not really,” Hunter replied, his eyes not leaving the fire, “but you’re welcome to stay.”
“I appreciate you doing this, Hunter. I know this is not where you want to be,”
“Happy to help, Rex. You know that.”
“I do,” Rex said, scratching at the stubble on his chin, “I hate to think the chaos your squad is getting into,” Rex chuckled.
Hunter smiled. He had been trying not to think about it. “I’m sure Crosshair’s keeping them in line,” he said. Rex, raised an eyebrow. “Okay, maybe not Cross. Omega then. If she’s following the rules herself that is.”
He knew she wouldn’t be. That kid had never heard an order and followed it. He smiled at the thought of Omega’s big brown eyes and floppy blonde hair.
“This work you and Echo are doing. When’s it going to be enough, Rex? You can’t do this forever. There’s only so much time before your luck will run out. Trust me,”
“We’re in it for the long run,” Rex said with a confident smile and Hunter couldn’t help but think back to their first missions together, his unwavering belief and trust that he was on the right track. He admired his friend but feared for him too. If Rex was an optimist, then Hunter was a realist. This was a fight that was not easily won.
For so much of their lives, their decisions, had been made for them. Hunter didn’t know how any clone could want anything other than peace after the madness and misery of war.
“You think we can trust them?” Hunter asked, nodding to the cave where Ventress and Vos had retreated to.
Rex looked pensive for a moment, like a memory flashed behind his eyes. “Not all Jedi are trustworthy, I’ll give you that. I trust Vos, I have no evidence not to but… Ventress…she’s something different. From the story of your encounter with her and some other things I’ve heard, I like to believe she’s changed…”
“We can’t trust these kids to just anyone.” Hunter said, adamantly. “We can’t let the empire get hold of them again. Who knows what they’d do to them this time.”
“I won’t let that happen,” Rex said firmly. “How are they doing on the Island, anyway?”
Hunter smiled, a wide, serene smile that he didn’t think he was capable of anywhere but Pabu. “Good. Adapting. Omega meditates with them most days. The oldest go to school. They’re being looked after by two neighboring families so we can keep an eye on them. Baryn is walking now although things tend to start flying when he loses his temper. There’s the occasional Jedi stuff with the others too but we have been able to keep it quiet. Contained.”
Rex smiled. “Fatherhood suits you,”
Hunter felt his cheeks get hot and brushed the comment off, “Well, someone’s got to look after them.”
“You did that for Omega too, you know. Do you ever think where she’d be if you hadn’t taken her with you?”
Hunter shook his head, but he had thought about it. She wouldn’t have been chased by bounty hunters, shot at, kidnapped and otherwise threatened. But she could have died on Kamino, or been sent to Tantis earlier. It didn’t really matter, Hunter thought. She was meant to come with them. She was their family before they even knew it. She chose him before he had an opportunity to choose her. It was a choice he would make every single time.
“Why don’t you get some rest, Rex.” He said finally. “I’ll keep watch. We’ll switch in a few.”
Rex nodded and stepped closer to the treeline, put on his helmet and sat against a tree.
The creatures of this moon were making a strange trilling noise in the trees. The air smelled like wet dirt. The scent had been stuck in his nose for days. He longed for the sweet, salty air of Pabu and the dry heat instead of this wet, cloying environment.
Hunter pulled out his knife and started twirling it between his fingers. There was a time, as a cadet that his fingers would be covered in bandages, as he tried tricks with the blade. These days it was an extension of his hand. It was intuitive, a mindless activity.
It wasn’t long before Hunter sensed her behind him. Her footsteps wouldn’t have been detectable to anyone else, that’s the nature of the Jedi or Sith or whatever she was these days. But Hunter knew, he heard as soon as she stood up in the cave.
She stepped lightly over the log and sat down next to him, a little too close for comfort. Once again, she was trying to make him uncomfortable, and once again he hated that she was succeeding. Her angular face turned towards him. “How is Omega?”, she asked, her drawling voice quieter than usual.
Hunter raised an eyebrow, “curiosity got the best of you?” he asked, turning towards her and managing to put a little space between them at the same time.
“I suppose you could call it that,” she replied, running her long fingers through her chin length hair.
“Well, she hasn’t made anything levitate or explode like some of the other force sensitives I’ve met. Does than satisfy you?”
Ventress looked into the fire, deep in thought. Hunter frowned, watching as the orange flames danced in front of her face, making her eyes look like they were glowing.
“She is…unusual…”
“She’s unique,” Hunter corrected.
Ventress turned to him, eyes narrowed her eyes. “She’s not force sensitive. Why was the empire after her?”
“Why do you care?”
“Call it professional curiosity,” she said sarcastically.
“I couldn’t tell you if I wanted to. I don’t know.” Hunter said, lying. He knew Jedi should be able to sense when they were being deceived, he’d seen it in action during the war, but Ventress didn’t press, and he was thankful for it.
They sat in silence for a while. Listening to the strange calls of the creatures in the trees. Hearing the rustling of larger animals in the woods.
Ventress seemed to be comfortable with the silence, but Hunter found it intrusive, much like her presence. He didn’t know why she was here or what she wanted.
“You smell like death,” he said, into the night.
“I bet you’re really popular with the ladies,” she retorted.
Hunter rolled his eyes. It had been bothering him since she had appeared. He had been too fraught when they last met to notice but it was so obvious now. There was something in the back of his senses, he couldn’t describe it, or see it, but it was there.
“Is it true you can see things through the force?”
Her eyes narrowed, “yes,”
“Like people?”
“All living things are connected through the force. But yes, I can see them, in my mind’s eye”
“Even dead people?” Hunter asked slowly, looking down at the knife he had been casually twirling his hands as he did so.
Ventress sat up straighter and shifted in her seat. This clearly wasn’t where she thought the conversation was going to go when she came out here.
“Yes… occasionally force sensitives can see, hear and even talk to the dead.” She paused; lips pursed as though holding in a question that didn’t want to be contained. “Why are you asking these things?”
Hunter ran his hand through his hair, “it doesn’t matter,” he said, suddenly feeling foolish. He wasn’t ready to talk about this. Why would he bring it up with this woman of all people? He hadn’t even brought this up to his family. Was that why he had been so interested in leaving Pabu? Was the stress of keeping this secret from them easier at a distance?
Ventress was staring at him intently, unwilling to let her question go. “Should I have tested you instead of Omega?”
Hunter scoffed, “I’m no Jedi,” he said, amusement in his voice.
Ventress narrowed her eyes at him again. “Stand up,” she barked, snatching the blade out of his hands. “Over there,” she gestured a few meters away. Normally, a former Sith assassin stealing his knife would set off alarm bells, but Hunter didn’t feel threatened. Without thinking he followed her directions.
“Close your eyes,” she said in the same tone, “I’m going to throw your knife. Try and catch it”
“I am not force sensitive,” he said exacerbated, “The Kaminoan’s enhanced my senses.”
“And what do you think force sensitivity is?” she asked, dryly. “Now close your eyes,”
Hunter huffed. He thought of the look on Crosshair’s face when he told him he willingly let Ventress throw a knife at him, smiled to himself and closed his eyes.
He felt his senses start to tingle, as though they were reaching out to try and find the knife. He heard Ventress pull the blade back to her ear. As she released the knife it made a schwing sound though the air. He heard it as if came closer, second by second until his hand shot out, involuntarily, and the hilt fell into his palm.
Ventress crossed her arms looking smug, but Hunter just shook his head.
“I’ve been catching knives and everything else by brothers could throw at me since I was a cadet. This doesn’t mean anything,”
“It means I should test you further”
“Ventress,” it was the first time he had used her name, in the same tone he would use Crosshair’s or Phee’s, and it took him aback. He cleared his throat and started again, “I was just asking because…”
“You can sense dead people.”
“Just the one, my brother. But yes,”
“Well, technically two. You sensed me as well, remember? There were three people in this galaxy who knew I died. There is no way you would have known, unless you sensed it. You have no way of knowing how the Kaminoans enhanced your particular skills. They had access to Jedi. Perhaps you were supposed to be force sensitive.”
“But I’m not.”
“That remains to be seen. I can’t sense your brother in the force right now. Perhaps he’s not around but I can sense you. You look different in the force than your friend,” she nodded to Rex, sleeping slumped against a tree. How he was sleeping through this conversation Hunter didn’t know. “All clones are unique in the force, but even Omega didn’t look like this. Perhaps you find these force sensitive children, protect them, because you can sense them through the force.”
“Does it matter? It just matters that they’re safe,” He replied. He had thousands of thoughts jumping through his mind. He was suddenly overwhelmingly tired. He wished Rex would wake up and Ventress would leave.
Ventress shrugged, “it doesn’t matter to me, beyond mild curiosity. But the force works in mysterious ways, and it sent you here for a reason, perhaps it was to discover this information.”
Her words hung in the air. Hunter didn’t know how to respond. Had no way to respond. He was different by design; they all were, but could it be possible? Did he want it to be possible? He needed to talk to Tech, ask him what he thought. But that was easier said than done. The silence hung there.
He hastily changed the subject. “This path you’ve created. How safe is it?”
“As safe as anything now days.” She replied cooly. She paused and looked intently at his face, as though trying to read his mind.
“So, not safe at all,” he said, more to himself than her.
“Your children will be protected by Quinlan and myself. It doesn’t get much safer than that,”
“They’re not my children,” he insisted. Although they might as well be.
“You could help, you know. Your skills would be useful. I could continue to test you. Perhaps between the Quinlan and I, we could give you some answers.”
Hunter raised an eyebrow. “I’m retired,”
“And I’m dead, yet here we are. Think of all those children and survivors who need help, just like Omega. You could do a lot of good.”
“I’ve got my own family to look after.”
“Then why are you here?” she asked pointedly.
Hunter paused. The light of fire was dimming now, the embers fading from bright red and orange to cool yellow amid the tangle of twigs and leaves. He had thought of little else but returning to Pabu during his time with Rex, usually in the quiet moments. But when on the island he struggled to find purpose. When you have been going night and day since you were born, slowing down was a strange sensation. But the longer he was away, the more he thought it was something he could learn to be satisfied with.
“Hmm.” Ventress cooed “well, if Island life ever gets too dull, I’m sure you can track us down,”
She stood up and sauntered back to the cave. Hunter sat bemused for a moment, staring out into the darkness of the forest. He really needed to get back home.
***
Hunter was at the ramp before the ship had even landed. The heat of Pabu hit him as soon as the ramp started to lower. The sweet, ubiquitous scent of blossom from the weeping maya tree, cooking smells from the market and salty air of the surrounding sea signaled that he was finally home.
Omega ran at him as soon as he hit the stone top of Pabu. He kneeled to hug her and then stood so her short legs dangled. She giggled and hugged his neck tighter, burying her cheek into chest. She had grown since he had left. Her hair was longer down her back, her bangs stretched to fit tightly into the braid.
“Huntah, we missed you,” she said with a beaming smile.
His brothers, Crosshair and Wrecker both came forward. Wrecker giving him his usual, spine crushing hug and Crosshair, a slap on the shoulder.
“Managed to stay alive then?” Crosshair said with a smirk.
“Yeah, despite Ventress’ best efforts,” Omega, Crosshair and Wrecker exchanged confused looked and exploded with questions at once.
“We can talk about it when we get home,” Hunter said with a smile.
They walked back to their little house. After some time in the refresher, Hunter, clean for what felt like the first time since he left, joined his family at the table on the patio.
Wrecker had created a feast. The table heaved under plates of fish, cooked meat from the market, fruits and vegetables and a sweet dessert that Omega had decorated with flowers.
“So, was the mission a success?” Wrecker asked as Hunter took the seat opposite.
“Yeah, you could say that. We found the target. Two for the price of one it turns out. They’re going to help the kids find their families find a safe place…”
“And where does Ventress fit in,” Crosshair asked cooly “I knew I should have gone with you,”
“She and Vos are an item. They may have been together before we met her last,”
“And why are you alive despite her best efforts?” Crosshair continued.
Hunter knew his brother wouldn’t let that comment go. He paused and took a sip of his wine. The liquid was sweet with a bitter, rich aftertaste. “ I let her throw my knife at me while my eyes were closed,”
“YOU DID WHAT?” Crosshair, Wrecker and Omega all shouted in unison. Batcher started underneath the table at the noise, shook head so her collar tinkled and laid back down on the warm stone patio.
Hunter chuckled and gazed out over Pabu’s harbor. He felt a familiar prickling at the edge of his senses and closed his eyes to see Tech in his mind’s eye.
He smiled at his fallen brother. He supposed now as was good a time as any. He nodded to the empty chair they always kept for him at the family table, and sensed Tech slide into it. There was a slight scraping noise on the stone, but he was the only one to notice. Omega, Crosshair and Wrecker looked at him quizzically.
Hunter sighed, put down his glass and faced his family. “I have a lot to tell you.”
Yes, give us all the clones! Especially more Bad Batch. I neeeeeeeed it!
Just give me more clones...
You know, I don't really care that much about all the lore and what is or isn't canon, the jedi and sith stuff...just give me clones. That's all I want.
I love this so much! So many people think Hunter didn’t evolve in the show because it wasn’t a huge change like Crosshair’s. But compare Season 7 CW Hunter to the version we get in TBB and he’s very different. He’s also a Dad figure to the rest of the Batch, even if he’s the same age. He takes that role on constantly. He’s my favorite member of the Batch. Galaxies best Dad!
Hunter's character arc: from solider to father
As I re-watch episodes of The Bad Batch, I've come to realise just how perfectly laid out Hunter's character arc from solider to father is, right from the beginning of the series, gradually developing over the course of the show.
In the pilot episode of the show, the Batch makes the choice to go back and rescue Omega and take her with them as they flee Kamino, a decision which leaves them with a new responsibility (should they choose to accept it) — a child. Then, in episode 2, we're reintroduced to Cut Lawquane from The Clone Wars, a clone who deserted from the GAR, settled down, and has a family. In a way, it's a glimpse at a possible future for Hunter (and the rest of the Batch) — he just doesn't see it yet. In fact, quite the opposite. Rather than seeing Cut's life and parenting abilities as something to learn from or aspire to, Hunter is convinced Omega would be better off with the Lawquane's instead and tries to send her off with them. The episode ends with Omega remaining with the Batch and making it clear to Hunter that she wants to stay with them, and Hunter agrees, officially accepting this new responsibility.
There is a particular conversation in the episode between Hunter and Cut that perfectly foreshadows the series' ending 👌, while also presenting Hunter with what will eventually become his desire and new path:
Hunter: So, where will you and your family go next? Cut: I suppose find a remote piece of land on a distant planet. That's all we really need. Hunter: That's the key to not being found? Cut: You wanna know how to disappear? Put being a soldier behind you and make a new life for yourself.
The rest of season sees Hunter and the rest of the Batch embracing their new responsibility as their lives begin to revolve more and more around caring for Omega, protecting her, keeping her safe, and teaching her as she becomes a crucial member of their team and family.
In season 2, we see Hunter much more directly confronted, on multiple occasions, with this question of what he really wants to do with his life and he begins to grapple with it in a more serious way. We see Hunter and Echo at odds over their differing goals and desires. While Echo wants to keep on fighting and do more to help others, Hunter doesn't have the same desire, his focus entirely on keeping his team, his family, safe — especially Omega. Neither of them are "wrong", and I think the show does a great job of presenting that; they just want two different things, which is why Echo decides to leave and pursue his goal.
In the episode 'Tribe', on Kashyyyk, we see Hunter beginning to ponder what it is he wishes for the future and we get a little glimpse, through his conversation with, Yanna, at what it is he truly wants — to leave the war behind and give Omega a safe and happy childhood.
Hunter: They're both just kids. But they don't get to be. Not in this galaxy. Yanna (translated by Tech): When a young one leaves, the trees weep. But when they return, the trees sing. As this child [Gungi] has found his new home, perhaps, one day, we all will find a new path. Hunter: Hopefully... (sighs) ...one far away from war.
Then, the episode 'Pabu' presents Hunter with just that, a secluded and safe paradise where he and the Batch could settle down and raise Omega in peace. Hunter's desire goes from a wishful hope to an actual real possibility, if he chooses it.
Hunter: Phee said the villagers here are refugees. Shep: Many, yes. Pabu has been a safe haven for those forced to flee their homes during the war and others after. Hunter: And you're not worried the Empire will show up? Shep: Why would they? We're a remote island with limited resources. But if they do, we'll manage. Some come to Pabu looking for a clean slate. A chance to start over. As a father, you couldn't ask for a better place to raise a child. Something to think about, isn't it? Hunter: You're suggesting we all stay on Pabu permanently? Shep: She seems to like it here. A little stability might do you all some good.
The season 2 finale then turns everything on its head by giving Hunter the very thing he feared. He couldn't keep his family safe. Tech is dead, and Omega is taken. With Omega captured, him and Wrecker spend their time doing whatever they can for even the smallest scrap on intel on where she may be, as they cross the galaxy over and over in search of her. She is their only priority.
Once Omega returns to them, Hunter's main focus is once again doing everything he can to keep her safe. When she is taken again, his sole focus is once more getting her back at all costs.
Once Omega is back, Hemlock dead, his project destroyed, and the fight finally over, they are all at last free to be "whatever they want". The conversation between Omega and Hunter as they both sit beneath the tree together, both finally at peace, Omega moving to rest her head against his shoulder so perfectly portrays exactly what he wants, what they both want, and finally can have. Hunter finally gets to leave his solider life behind, settle down somewhere safe and peaceful, and be a father to Omega as she enjoys the childhood he had hoped to give her. It's a beautiful, heartwarming conclusion to Hunter's character arc in the show (and we even get to see old man Hunter enter the next phase of his fatherhood journey as he watches grow up Omega set off on her own adventure 😭). ❤️❤️
It's the ending that was always coming, right from the beginning. Hunter was always going to make it to end, always going to retire and settle down, and be a father to Omega. I really love the storytelling in this show and the fact that we got such a beautiful, satisfying ending to Hunter's character arc.
Makes perfect sense to me! Love having a clearer
Timeline.
Since when our favorite squad has been in active duty ?
Sharing this to add up to @miss-musings 's very detailed analysis of The Bad Batch timeline. If you haven't read the post, I highly recommand it! See link bellow:
Thanks to a piece of dialogue between Wrecker and Tech, we know their last detachment lasted 180 days (205, if you adjust to galatic zones change but I'm not gonna consider that because I want the number of days they actually lived)
Wrecker also tells us that during those 180 days, they executed and succeded 11 missions.
Which gives us an average duration of 16,4 days per mission.
During that scene in the baracks, we also catch a glipse of the board where they keep track of their missions. I've counted 11 groups of 5 tally marks, so 55 missions.
There are 2 possible sources of error here, because 1- I'm assuming the shot pans through the whole board but there could be more marks that we don't see, and 2 -Since it's been said they have a 100% rate of success in The Clone Wars episodes, I consider it's stil the case and that all the missions are marked on the board
With the average lenght of 16,4 days per mission, that leads us to 902 days. So roughtly
2,5 years
(Note: it is my understanding that a standard year in Star Wars is 368 days, so really close to our year)
From Wookepedia, I place the event surrounding order 66 and the creation of the Empire and therefore the first episode of The Bad Batch in the middle of the year 19BBY
"The anniversary of the Empire's creation was celebrated yearly, on the twenty-third day of the fifth month using the Great ReSynchronization (GrS) dating system based on Coruscant."
Clone Force 99 would have been promoted and sent in active duty at the beginning of year 21BBY.
To try and place it in the Clone wars timeline, that would be about a year after the battle of Geonosis (beginning of the war) but before the attack on Kamino that lead to 99's death (TCW S3E2 Arc Troopers).
I like that because I headcanon the Domino squad was propably training on Kamino around the same time and that they are close in age. I'd like to think they got to interact together thanks to 99...
Let me know if you think this make sense or if you came up with another number!
Didn’t need my heart anyway
The Bad Batch (2021–2024) // Ashe Vernon, Wrong Side of a Fistfight
Love this!!!
I Won't Leave You
Crosshair & Hunter
Warnings: intense training, discussion of decommissioning, loss of squad members (OCs that I made to explain why Tech seems to carry multiple roles), resignation to a supposed death
Note: this fic is not clone shipping. Nothing I write is clone shipping.
Mando'a Guide Osik'uram - rude person (literally "shit mouth") Di'kut - idiot
Crosshair’s arms were getting sore from holding up the too large rifle. The weight of it was familiar, but it had been hours of holding it up; his arms were getting weaker.
“CT-9904,” the surly bounty hunter—who was now his instructor—growled. “How can you possibly expect to be a sniper if you can’t hold still?”
Crosshair knew it was a rhetorical question; he’d been punished for “speaking out of turn” when he’d answered before. He wouldn’t answer him this time, despite the resentment boiling in his gut. Instead he just rolled his eyes under the cover of his helmet.
“Run it again,” the instructor warned. “Do better this time.”
That all too familiar knot formed in Crosshair’s throat, but he swallowed it down. Soldiers didn’t get nervous, right?
The simulation began and he fell into a rapid rhythm, taking down training droids one by one.
Simulated sounds of war blared over the speakers; explosions all around him, screams of people being injured, never ending blasterfire. Then the rain started. Crosshair felt the temperature in the room drop. He hated the cold. His hands tightened on his rifle, but did not stop his rhythmic firing.
The rain grew colder and heavier until it would be nearly impossible for anyone to see clearly through it, but Crosshair wasn’t just anyone. His eyes adjusted rapidly, easily seeing through the sheets of freezing rain.
He’d been counting, of course. He only had 14 more targets and the simulation would be over. Maybe I can leave after this round, he thought, knowing that this was only the eighth time they’d been through this simulation today. Idly, he wondered how his brothers were fairing in their training today.
A noise behind him nearly startled him, breaking his concentration and his rhythm. He spun around just in time to see the blue circle of stun bolt about to hit him.
He woke up in a medical bay, head aching and eyes burning from the bright lights overhead.
A medical droid hovered next to him. “CT-9904, you are awake,” it told him. “I will alert the medic.”
Crosshair watched the droid go, irritated by its happy tone, then closed his aching eyes.
“Hey, Cross,” someone said. That voice was far too familiar.
“Hunter,” he replied simply.
“You okay?”
Crosshair didn’t answer, his brow furrowing into the deep scowl.
“Right, stupid question,” Hunter admitted. “Are you hurt?”
“Don’t think so,” Crosshair shrugged. “Head hurts. Lights are too bright.”
Hunter wasn’t sure what to say, but as the newly minted leader of their squad, he figured it ought to be something positive. “Don’t worry, Cross, you’ll get it next time.”
Crosshair sighed. “There won’t be a next time, Hunter.”
Hunter scowled at his slightly younger brother, even though the other couldn’t see him. “Don’t talk like that.”
“We should just accept it,” Crosshair shrugged. “I got lucky during the initial testing; I only outshot Tech by six points.”
“Crosshair, you were made to-”
“I hate that he’ll have to take my job when he’s already got Fixer and Bugg’s on top of his own.”
“Cross-”
“Maybe you could take on piloting, too,” he suggested, ignoring his brother and squad leader’s attempts at redirecting the conversation. “I know you scored higher than me and Wrecker.”
“Would you just-”
“Oh! And make sure you don’t tell Wrecker that 99 and I made Lula for him; I’ve got an image to maintain even after I’m dead.”
“You’re not gonna-”
“You gotta make sure Tech sleeps. I know he’ll be busy with four roles instead of three, but he’ll work himself to death before choosing to sleep. But if you wrap him up in a blanket like a tubie, he knocks right out.”
“Crosshair, please. Please stop.”
He did, unable to continue after hearing the desperation in Hunter’s words.
“You’re not getting decommissioned,” Hunter affirmed.
“Hunter-”
“No. I was too late to save Bugg and Fixer, but I’ll die before I let the long-necks take away another one of my brothers.”
The regret and guilt that permeated his voice stung. He knew Hunter blamed himself for not helping the others enough, but hearing him now, he realized that his older brother blamed himself entirely for the loss of their brothers.
“I-” Hunter whispered, not daring to look at his brother. “I can’t lose you too.”
“You won’t,” Crosshair promised, reaching out to touch Hunter’s wrist. He looked up to see his brother’s signature smirk. “Can’t get rid of me that easily, ya know.” (I won’t leave you.)
Hunter chuckled as he wiped a stray tear onto his sleeve. A sense of normalcy crashed over him like a wave. “Yeah, well, first time you go off on your own during a training sim, I’m throwing you in the water.” (I won’t let you.)
Crosshair scoffed. “Osik’uram.” (I love you, brother.)
“Di’kut.” (I know, and I love you, too.)
Thanks for reading! - River
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Awwww
You can’t tell me this didn’t happen
I know Tech would never slip up like that, but I know we'd be thrilled.
The Badlantis Batch (Atlantis x tbb): 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
@techwrecker @lonewolflupe @ithillia @profettshonalfettfettishist
You know this would happen 🤣
You know how the Fandom likes to speculate that Hunter has half his body tattooed with a skeleton?
Imagen he is freshly tattooed, his whole left side sore. Hunter is being really careful not to touch anything cause it hurts like a bitch.
And then here comes Crosshair with a-
"GOOD MORNING SERGEANT!!"
And slaps Hunter's freshly tattooed back/arm.
This is so good!!!
Plan 66
There were plenty of disadvantages to being experimental commandos, Hunter remarked to himself as the squad staggered towards their barracks, but there were upsides here and there. For instance, after a typically torturous day of training, testing, and reg torment, they were making their way towards their own private room- far from the prying eyes and muttered comments of regs and kaminoans alike. Granted, they were returning to said barracks in various states of exhaustion, many hours after late-meal, because maybe those disadvantages were just a bit more substantial.
The door to the barracks slid open and the 99s swiftly scattered to various corners of the room. Hunter paused for a moment in the doorway, savouring the feeling of safety. His squad was here, together, and for now he could keep them all in his sight and away from danger.
Hunter sat on his bunk and began readjusting his senses to the Kamino rain outside and the permanently unfortunate smell of the 99s’ barracks. His brothers were doing similar activities to declare to the world that they were done for the day- Wrecker began rummaging through the plentiful supply of snacks they absolutely weren’t supposed to keep in their room, Tech left his datapad on his rack and beelined it for the refresher before anyone else could claim the first sonic, and Crosshair collapsed face-first on his bunk and buried his head under a pillow without even pausing to remove his training armour.
A few minutes passed in blessed peace. Wrecker began hoisting heavy objects over his head, Hunter began sorting through command training assignments he was expected to have done several months ago, and Tech emerged from the sonic and reclaimed his data pad. Hunter absentmindedly watched his brother coast through unknown reaches of the holonet that gave Tech his infinite wisdom. As he watched, Tech’s darting eyes stopped flitting behind their goggles and he sat down suddenly. “This is… not ideal.” He said, voice shaking very slightly. “Hunter? I-“
Crosshair’s voice emanated from his bunk, “I swear, if those bastards spring another of their ‘surprise assessments’ on us, Kamino will burn.”
“No, it is not-“ Tech cut himself off with a harsh exhale and simply turned his datapad around, the illuminated screen casting eerie light across the floor. Hunter edged forewarned and read off the screen: OFFICIAL G.A.R. REPORT FROM UMBARAN FRONT- FRIENDLY FIRE CASUALTY NUMBERS RISING
Hunter would have read more, but Tech turned the screen back around and pressed the datapad to his chest. “I read it,” Tech said, “it is a disturbing incident that merits immediate discussion.”
Hunter called over their other two brothers and they waited in tense silence for Tech to explain. “I have compiled an explanation from various official and unofficial sources,” Tech began. “From my understanding, the 501st and 212th legions suffered significant losses in a friendly fire incident arranged by their Jedi general.
“A Jedi did this?!” Wrecker gasped, “I thought they were in our side!”
“Indeed,” Tech said, “a Besalisk Jedi Master by the name of Pong Krell, who seemingly planned to leave the Jedi order and offer his services to the Separatists.
The regs apprehended him, losing more men in the effort. He was executed on Umbara.”
“Who did it?” Hunter asked in morbid fascination. “Wouldn’t killing a Jedi be a death sentence for a clone? Did the 501st lose their commander? Was it… Cody?”
“It would seem he was killed by CT-6922, otherwise known as Dogma. I have been unable to locate Dogma in any subsequent reports or communications. Furthermore, his number has been deleted from the Kaminoan database.”
“He killed a traitor,” Cosshair muttered, glaring at nothing, “and they made him disappear.”
“So it would appear.” Tech put aside his datapad and levelled a serious stare at his brothers. Hunter felt Tech’s eyes catch his and hold his gaze. “I am reluctant to accept that all the Jedi will turn on their soldiers so easily. However, it is now a proven possibility. As such, it seems prudent to be prepared in case we are ever in the presence of a Jedi who wishes us harm.”
The squad exchanged glances. Wrecker was the first to break the silence. “But… will we even be working with Jedi? The regs have generals, but we’ll be on our own once we graduate, won’t we? We only really report to Cody.”
Hunter sighed. Time to be the sergent, he supposed. “It doesn’t hurt to be prepared, I guess. Cody’s got a Jedi. We can’t avoid them completely.”
Tech nodded once and set his datapad on his lap, hands poised to type. “Precisely. As such, we need a plan. Just in case.”
They nodded along grimly and echoed him, “just in case.”
___________________
The discussion took hours. Jedi, it turns out, were not very easy to kill. But the Bad Batch weren’t the Bad Batch for nothing. As such, many scrapped ideas, shouting matches, and some very unhappy consciences later, they had a plan. It wasn’t perfect and it certainly wasn’t pretty, but it was enough. Eventually, Tech finished typing. “Well,” he sighed, “I suppose that is that. Now it needs a name. The next available numerical designation is fifty-t-“
“Sixty-Six,” Crosshair interrupted unexpectedly. Throughout the entire discussion, he had been very quiet, providing ideas when required, but largely just observing as the plan came together. Yet every time they flagged, every time Hunter threw his hands up in despair and declared it was futile, he was there. He’d set a hand on Hunter’s shoulder and meet his gaze with a look that said far better than Crosshair himself ever could that he needed to stay strong for the sake of the squad.
That look was no where to be seen, now. In its place was an oddly dark, thousand-yard stare that put his brother uncomfortably in mind of a corpse. “It’s got to be Plan Sixty-Six.”
Tech, puzzled, tried to argue that “It does not makes sense to skip the preceding numbers for this one in particular,” but then Wrecker spoke up:
“No, he’s right. It’s gotta be that. It just feels… right”
Hunter found himself nodding along. For some reason, as soon as Crosshair said it, there was no alternative. Even Tech conceded the point, muttering some rationalization involving multiples of eleven.
In the dark, mind still spinning with the news of Umbara and the newly minted “plan 66”, Hunter was struck by the creeping feeling that they had just taken once step closer to something terrible. Something inescapable.
Something horribly, world-shakingly, inevitable.
These are awesome!
First post😳
Sketched some characters from SW for practice(I suck at drawing people halp....)
Anyway
I present you......
Anakin💙❤
Obi-wan💙
Ahsoka💙
Qui-gon💚
Dooku❤💙
As you can see, I have a serious addiction to Star Wars
But mostly about the disaster lineage
What a great mash up!
Barbie (written by Greta Gerwig, delivered by America Ferrera)
Oh these two!
old man rex n huntah
Can we get come consensus on Wrecker’s left eye? I’ve always assumed it was cybernetic because otherwise I think it would be pretty hard for him in the field but I’ve seen others say he’s blind in that eye… what do you think? I’m genuinely curious.
Ahhhh love this! 😍😍😍😍
The promise.
The faith in that promise.
This is one of the most beautiful Hunter and Omega pieces I’ve ever seen! I could not love it more! Wish I could get a print for my BB wall! 😍
A Dance Through Time
This took me about two months to finish and it's the biggest piece I've ever done. Inspiration came while I was listening to Fast Car by Tracy Chapman one day, and the vision of Hunter and Omega swaying to the rhythm together came to life before my eyes. Listening to it more brought a realization that some parts of the song fit the story of these two almost perfectly, taking them on a journey from the very first episode of the show to the day peace is restored in the galaxy - like the first verse talking about their beginnings and the second one describing the struggles of living from job to job that we see in season 2. But the core of the story - of the show, of this duo, and of these characters separately - can be brought down to these four lines:
You got a fast car
Is it fast enough so we can fly away?
We gotta make a decision
Leave tonight or live and die this way
In case Tumblr messes with the quality, you can find the separate pieces, in order, under the cut.
Oh my heart! ❤️🩹♥️♥️
Maybe
I haven’t been able to write anything since the finale tor a couple reasons BUT here’s a little drabble for Omega
Maybe.
Maybe she wasn’t force sensitive or whatever Ventress had called it.
Maybe.
Maybe she could just feel things like Hunter can.
Maybe.
She doesn’t truly understand the force. Her brothers hadn’t been able to understand it.
She had decided that it was just there.
It was the humming in her ear when she made a split second decision
It was the tug on her heart when she saw people in need.
It was the warmth she felt when looking at her brothers.
Maybe she didn’t need to understand the force.
She felt it. Surrounding her. Helping her. With her every step of her journey.
Maybe the force isn’t something to be explained. It’s something that is just there.
She hopes it is.
She’d heard stories.
Throughout the bases and from pilots she flew with.
That feeling of someone who was lost finding their way back again.
She knew that feeling.
She felt it when she flew.
Every time she powered up the engines.
When she hit the lever for hyperspace.
When she ran the diagnostics.
There was always that feeling of being watched.
It wasn’t that chills down your spine give you goosebumps kind of thing.
No this was warm hot chocolate after a long day out on patrol in the middle of nowhere, the feeling of one of wreckers hugs. The feeling she felt when crosshair told her “Good job”, the feeling of when Hunter smiled at her finally at peace after their long time fighting for the freedom to feel this.
The feeling she felt when she was flying. Alive, free, she felt like her heart could explode out of her chest. Happiness.
She felt that whenever she flew.
Some of the other rebel fighters spoke of the powers of the force.
They said that loved ones are part of it after they moved on.
She figures that’s a good way to see it.
Because that way
Maybe.
Just maybe.
When she flew.
He was there too.